Delta 46-250 Midi Lathe Question

Long time since I've posted here but been doing a lot of lurking in the background the past year.

Had a flood last year and thought I had everything in the shop rebuilt / cleaned-up / tested and repaired....well almost. Had not used the Delta midi until today and found that the motor was frozen - solid. After disassembly, I'm not sure it's worth rebuilding - lots of rust. Replacing the bearings is no big deal but from what I can see, lot's of crude and corrosion on the windings so it will most likely short out at some point in time.

An original replacement motor is $147 from DeWalt (Delta) for the 1/2hp motor (made in China). Was wondering if others had to replace their lathe motors and found a better replacement than the stock offering? The LA-200 and the model 46-250 (Type 2) use the same motor (#1341864). I've done some searching for replacements but nothing is coming up as a replacement motor.

I recall someone else replacing their motor with a variable speed (digital) motor and control from Vicmarc (down under) but I can't find it on their site.

Your comments appreciated,

Bob S.

Reply to
BobS
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Just to follow-up. I've requested a parts breakdown on the Jet midi (708375VS) with the variable speed motor. From the pictures, the frames look identical and may be possible to use their motor and controller but.... the top pulley is most likely not a step pulley and I would have to replace that?

Unfortunately, there is no woodworking stores any longer in our area that carry these items in stock so I can go touchy-feely and see if this is a possible upgrade. May be just as cost effective to purchase the Jet midi VS........???

Bob S.

Reply to
BobS

"BobS" wrote in news:46e06864$0$19633$ snipped-for-privacy@roadrunner.com:

The Jet Mini VS is a really popular little lathe here in the SF Bay area. When folks resell them, they get back a pretty good piece of their original investment. A lot of folks though, hold on to them for the portability and practicality of having a 'to go' tool for the smaller stuff, even if they let their credit card loose on a larger toy.

In our group, I don't know of anyone using a Delta lathe. Lotsa Powermatics and Jets, though. Mine's a Jet 1442 with a bed extension. And the Shopsmith has been relegated to being a disk sander and buffing station over in the other corner.

Good luck with your repair/replacement. I don't think I'd drop any more cash on your current lathe. YMMV, though.

Patriarch

Reply to
Patriarch

Patriarch,

Thanks for the info. It may be better choice to purchase the Jet -if- my Vicmarc chucks and jaw accessories will fit the Jet. Need to check that out

Thanks,

Bob S.

Reply to
BobS

You should be OK moving your chucks and accessories from the Delta to the Jet. The two machines have very similar tool interfaces. Both the Jet Mini and the Delta Midi have the same 1" x 8 headstock threads and MT #2 taper. Both tailstocks are MT2, also. Even the two tool rests have the same 5/8" post hole.

Bob from NC

Reply to
rverne44

It wouldn't surprise me if there *is* a step pulley on spindle of the Jet mini VS. My reeve's drive Delta has one- changing the pulley location will just shift the possible range of speeds one way or the other.

If you have any way to fabricate a mount for it, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use just about any electric motor. In a worst-case senario, you might have to mount the motor on a shelf below the table that the lathe is on, sacrificing some portability, but I can't see any huge problem with using whatever you can find- I'm sure a 1/2" hp motor can be had for far less than the cost of a new lathe.

Reply to
Prometheus

Thank you.....

Bob S.

Reply to
BobS

Thank you for your input. As I said, I requested a parts manual from Jet but have not receieved it yet. Portability is a factor with my small shop since I have no permananent spot for one. When I do want to use it, I clamp it my bench. Obviously I don't do much turning or it would have a dedicated spot....

Thanks,

Bob S.

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Reply to
BobS

One idea, if you're looking to salvage the existing lathe, might be to put a little trap-door on the surface of the bench you normally clamp the lathe to. If you've got any room under the benchtop, you could just let the motor hang, and pull the belt up through the trapdoor when you want to use the machine. Most of the little wood lathes have small motors, and it shouldn't be too much of a problem weight-wise. Probably could get away with a simple hinge on the motor, and allow it to tension the belt with it's weight, similar to a contractor-style table saw.

Reply to
Prometheus

I received a new catalog from Penn State Industries today. They have a kit called a variable spped upgrade that they say fits both the Jet and Delta. It has a 1/2 Hp motor and variable speed controller. The blurb says you may have to drill three holes in the motor mount and it comes with a template. Price class is $100.

Reply to
John Siegel

John,

Took a bit of searching and calling PennState to find that VS motor but it's listed as "TCLVSKIT" code E-10330B and is on special for $84.95 (+ $10 shipping)

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One thing was confusing about the description. They say it fits the "mini" lathes but after talking with one of the guy's there, it does fit the Delta 46-250 "midi" and even though it's not stated on the page, it's supposedly a 1/2hp motor.

I ordered it and we'll give it a try. They have a 30 return policy and since I have several other products from Penn State that work as stated - no big risk.

Thanks to all for your input and I owe you one John.

Thank you,

Bob S.

Reply to
BobS

As I remember from shopping for my Jet mini, I think the Delta "midi" is the same size ( 10/14? ) as the Jet mini...

Sort of like labeling condoms as large to aid the ego.. ;-]

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

However the Delta came out first. Midi makes some sense since it is between full size lathes and minis like the Carbatec.

The Delta is also 10" swing. With the bed extension I have done full size (3" square stock) dining table legs - not bad for a midi. John

Reply to
John Siegel

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